Automatically opening or closing die.



W0. 642,3. Patented Jan. 30, I900. F. A. ERRINGTON.

AUTOMATICALLY OPENING 0R CLOSING DIE.

(Application filed Apr. 10, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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W YORK, N. Y.

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fihhtililiifiihlt limt forming part of "Letters Patent No. 642,311, dated January 30, 1.900. Application filed an 10,1899. Elcrlal lilo.7l2,55l. on model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FRANKLIN ALFRED Ea- RINGTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York city, borough of Richmond, (Stapleton P. (1-,) State of'New Yorlghave invented certain new and useful improvements in Automatically Upening or Closing Dies, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to thread-cutting tools the'lies of which are adapted to have sufiicient axial and lateral movement independently of their supporting body to close and open by coaction with the work or article of my invention is to provide a simple, practical,-and eficient tool ofthe character described wherein'when the work is pressed against the cutting-dies, or vice versa, they will close to the operative position, and when threads are cut open the work and the axial movement of the worlr ed the continued rotation of the dies or of the worlr will canoe the dies to move outwardly axially of the supporting-"body during operation, cutting their way along the work until the external thrustfaces of the dies thus autonnatically pass out of engagement with the internal thrust-faces of the supporting-body, whereupon said dies will automatically ex pan-d laterally of the supporting-body to permit the separation of the work and dies without stopping or changing the direction of retation of the rotative member; and the invention consists in the novel details of improvement and the combinations of parts, that will be more frilly hereinafter set forth and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein?- Figure 1 is end view of a device embodying my invention, showing the parts in the open position, aifording clearance between the dies for therernoval oi the worlr. Fig. 2 is a partlysectional View on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1, the dies being shown in the closed or cutting position, half of the inner parts of the device being shown in full lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the dies being shown in the inoperative or open position. i is a side elevation of W 1., the device bein turned airially ninety cc sea from the position shown they cut threads; and the object into the body is arrest-,

in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of Fig. 1 on the line 5 5, the dies being shown in the closed position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

lindicates the supporting body of the device, which is provided with a shank 3 for connection with either the turret or live spindle of a lathe or similar tool. Abutments 2 project from body 1, with openings 1 between them, which afford ready egress for the escape of chips, the. The body 1 is preferably internally. and externally tapered at its abutments 2. To provide said body with laterallyadjustable internal thrust-faces,-said tapered surfaces are shown connected by an elongated slot 2, through which screws 1 pass to mesh with'tapped holes in externally-tapered adjusting-blocks i, by which means blocks 4 can be adjustably clamped to the internally-taper-ed faces 2 of abutments 2. The planes of the externally-tapered surfaces 2 of abutments 2 are preferably parallel with their respective internally-tapered surfaces 2" and at right angles to the axis of their respective screws i to permit the heads of said screws to bear evenly thereupon and to actuate blocks 4 laterally of body 1 when said screwheads slide outwardly along the abutments 2. Set-screws 1 are shown passing through the back plate 1 of body 1 to engage the inner ends of adjusting-blocks i to lock said blocks from accidental inward movement axially of body 1 after the adjusting-screws 4: have been tightened up. The shanlr 3 is shown hollow to receive an adjustable stoppiece 5, adapted to be rigidly connected with body 1 by a set-screw 5. This stop acts to limit the distance that worlr 6 can pass into the device. A die-holder 7 preferably surrounds the abntments 2 and is movable therealong independehtly of body 1, the heads of screws 4: being accessible through openings and the outward axial movementof die holder 7 being preferably limited by the head of screws i engaging the inner walls of openings 7. Aliningpieces 7 project from the back of die-holder 7 along and overhang the body 1. The die-holder 7 is provided with a die-charnber 7 whose side walls are prefer ably indented by internal ways 7. it pair liUlI) of dies 8 9 are inserted through the axial bore 7 of die-holder 7, said dies being preferably provided with external ways 8 9 that mesh with the internal ways 7 of die-holder 7. Atter said dies are in place in die-holder 7 their inward movement along said die-holder is limited by removable abutments, (shown inthe form of set-screws 7,) which prevent the accidental escape of dies 8 9 through axial bore 7 e of the die-holder.

The main object of my invention'is to cause the dies 8' 9 to contract or approach each other to the operative or cutting position and to expand or move away from each other to the inoperative or open position to release the work. I provide means'whereby this'openiug and closing of the dies can be etfeoted by and during their movement axially of the body 1, and -for this purpose I have shown the body 1 as provided with internal thrustfaces 10 11, having associate cam-faces 12 13,

the internal thrust-faces 10 being nearer'together than the opposed internal thrust-faces 11, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) or, in other words, the planes of the inner internal thrust-faces 10 are within the planes of the outer internal thrust-faces 11. Thus the opposed internal thrust-faces 1O 11 and their associate camfa'ces 12 13 provide a die-chamber 1 7, divided into sections or portions of different di- 'ameters, the outer portion of said chamber tion thereof.

being of greater diameter than the inner por- 11 12 13 upon adjusting-blocks 4 instead of integral with body 1, (see Fig. 2,) as it is desirable that said opposed faces be adjustable toward and from each other independently of said body, and to enable the bl0cks4 to move axially and laterally of body 1 in unison I provide each of said blocks witha laterally-projecting lug 4 said-lugs being adapted to engage the inner face of die-holder 7 simultaneously, so that upon the screws 4 l being slacked back and the die holder 7 moved inwardly along body 1 against lugs 4 the'blocks 4 will be moved inwardly axially of body 1 by said die-holder and laterally of said body by the internal tapered faces 2 ofthe abutments 2. When the desired adj ustment is attained, the adjusting-screws 4 are then tightened up and the set screws 1 brought against the inner ends of blocks 4.

By means of the lateral adjustment of the adjusting -blocks 4 the cutting diameter of the dies can be adj usted within certain limits and the adjustment of the stop 5 determines the length otthe thread cut upon the work, although this length may be varied by other means that arrest the advance of the work into the device.

The dies 8 9 are to bear against the opposed internal thrust-faces 10 11 of the die-chamber 1* 7 when the dies are in the closed or working position, (see Fig. 2,) and to cause the dies 8 9. to move laterally of thedie-chamber 1 7 duri'ngtheir axial movement therein I have shown said-dies as provided at their Ipreferably form the faces 10 .inne'r ends with cutting-faces and at their thrust-faces '15 to enable the die thrust-faces 14 15 to bear simultaneously upon the internal body thrust-faces 10 11 during operation, and at the inner ends of external thrust-faces 14 of the dies I have preferably provided camfaces 17 to coact with the cam-faces 13 of the blocks 4, and between the external thrustfaces 14 15of the dies Ihave provided camt'aces 16 to coact with the body cam-faces 12 carried by blocks 4. It is obvious that in providing both the blocks and the (lies with coacting cam-faces that are correspondingly beveled I do so to secure a more permanent set of cam-faces; but only one of said sets of cam-faces, as 12 13, need be beveled, and the external thrust-faces 14 15 could terminate in straight edges and still coact with the camfaces 12 13 to move the dies 8 9 laterally. When the dies8 9 are pushed inward axially of the body 1, said dies will slide laterally and axially of said body independently of (or along) the internal body cam-faces 12 13 and thrust-faces 10 and 11 until the thrust-faces- 14 15 of said dies will respectively oppose the internal body thrust-faces 1O 11 of the blocks 4, as shown in Fig. 2, and said dies will be in their closed or Workin g position to cut threads on work 6. From this it willbe seen that each of the dies 8 9 has two external thrust-faces, which keep the die in proper alinement and prevent tilting of the die while moving independently axially of its supporting-body. When the dies are moved outward axially of body 1, said dies will slide axially and laterally of said body indepeudentlyot' (or along) the internal body thrust-faces 10 and 11 until their inner external thrust-faces 14 -will oppose the outer internal thrust-faces 11 of blocks 4, (see Fig. 3,) and as the distance between the outer internal thrust-faces 11 is greater than between the inner internal thrust-faces 10'the dies will expand or move apart instead of continuing to out threads in work 6 and the work 6 can be withdrawn. (See Fig. 1.) The beveled faces or cams 12 13 coact with the cam-faces 16 17 to move the dies 8 9 laterally toward each other when said dies are moved axially inwardly of the diechamben- The arrangement is such that when the dies are in-the position shown in Fig. 3 and they are next pressed against the work, or vice versa, the cam-faces of dies 8 9 audblocks 4 will move said dies laterally toward each other to the working position (shown in Fig. 2,) whereupon threads will be out upon work 6 as the dies or the work rotate. When the work 6 reaches the stop 5, its axial movement into the device will be arrested and the continued rotation of the device (or work) will cause the dies to coact with the threads already out upon the work 6 to move said dies axially of the supporting- IIO theta y a body l dnrin ofieration independently of the" internal body t not-faces and continue cutting threads in the work while moving outwardly until the external thrust-faces 14 15 of the dis-so out of engagement with the internal t I 1y thrust-faces 10 11 of the blocks 4, whereupon the dies will expand laterally of body.1-automatically and the wo'lkcan be withdrawn without stopping the rotation of the moving meber or reversing the direction of rotation thereof.

A distinctive functional effect of employingindependent (not integral with each other) dies that are movable both laterally and axi ally independently of the supporting-body that when the device is stationary and the work rotates i may utilize gravity to assist in closing the dies, as it is apparent that when the device is'in the position shown in lig. l the upperdie will drop snfficiently to engage the advancing work who threaded, in which case the bottom die only will require a cam to raise it over the shoulder or shoulders 12 13 as the pressure ofthe advancing work against the upper die pushes the dies axially of the body from the enter to the inner portion of the die-ehainber. However, when the device is rotated and the work is held from rotation it is preferable to provide a cam for each die to move it positively laterally of body 1. 15 16 1? of the dies 8 9'npon die-blocks '18, which are shown detachably connected with the dies, lor' which purpose I have shown screws 133 passing through apertures in said;

- blocks and meshing with threads in tapped holes in the dies d 9.. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) The die bloohs 18 are each shown provided with an indentnre to receive the o'en'tral'projeetion or external way 8 or 9, as the case may be, of the die 8 or 9 to prevent the independent rotation of the die-block upon the die, and thereby loosening the screws 18". The screws 18 can beloosened and the dies 8 9 reversed thereupon when the outer cutting-teeth become worn, so that the inner teeth can become the outer ones.

Having now described my invention, what i claim is-- 1. The combination with a supporting-body provided with internal thrust-faces, of a dieing operation independently of said internal holder connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable axially'thereof, and a plurality of independent dies movable along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation, said dies being movable with said die-holder axially of said body durthrust-faces, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a supporting-body provided with internal thrusnfaccs, of a dieholder connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable axially thereof, and a plurality of independentdies mov- By pu'eiierenoew 1 form the faces 1i able along said die-holder laterally ot'said body and provided ,at their ends opposite their cnttingfaoes with externalthrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation, said dies being movable with said die-holderaxially of said body during operation independently of, said internal thrust-faces, and one ofoaid thrust-faces being provided with an associate cam-face to move one of said dies laterally of said body during the inward movement of said dies axially thereof, substantially as described.

' 3. The combination witha supporting-body provided with internal thrust-facos, of a dieholder connected with saidtbody to rotate in unison therewith and movable axially thereot, and a plurality of independent dies mov-f able along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation, said dies being movable with said die-holder axially of said body during operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, and means to aline said dieholder with the axis of said body, substantially as described. 7

i. The combination witha supporting-body provided with internal thrust-faces, of a pin rality of independent dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-Eases that bear against said interthrust-lanes during operation, said dies in movable axially of said body during operation independently of said internal thrust faces, each of said dies having a projection, and a die-holder movable axially of said body and provided with-an indentnre that meshes with said projections of said dies to connect said dies to move in unison with said die-holder axially of said body and independently of each other along said die-holder laterally of said body, substantially as do"- scribed.

5. Thecombination with asupporting-body having abntments with an opening therebetween, said abntments having their opposed surfaces provided with internal thrust-faces, of a plurality of dies situated between said abntrnents and connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust- 'faces that bear against said internal thrustsituated between said abutmonts and mov able along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite pered supporting-body provided with exter -nally tapered adjusting blocks adjustably connected therewith and having internal thrust-faces, of a plurality of dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation, said dies being movable axially of said-body during operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, substantiallyms described.

8. The combination with an internally-tapered supporting-body provided with externally tapered adjusting blocks adj ustably connected therewith and having internal thrust-faces, of a plurality of dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation, said dies being movable axiallyof said body during operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, and one of said thrust-faces being provided with an associate cam-face to move one of said dies laterally of said body during the inward movement of said dies axially thereof, substantially as described.

9. The combination with an internally-tapered supporting-body provided with externally-tapered adjusting-blocks having internal thrust-faces, means to adjust said blocks axially and laterally of said body in unison and means to hold said blocks in position when adjusted, of a plurality of dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting faces with external thrustfaces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during -operation, said dies being movable axially ofsaid body during operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a supporting-body provided with adj usting-blocks having internal thrust-faces, of a die-holder connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable axially thereof, said die-holder and blocks having abutting members to adjust said blocks relatively to each other laterally of said body in unison, andaplurality of dies movable along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite their cuttingfaces with external thrust-faces, said dies being movable with said die-holder axially of said body during op- L eration independently of said internal thrustfaces, substantially as described.

'11. The combination withasupporting-body provided with internal thrust-faces, of a plurality of dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrustfaces during operation, said dies being movable axially of said body during operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, and an adjustable abutment rigidly carried by said body to limit the inward movement of said dies axially of said body, substantially as described.

12. The combination with an internally-tapered supporting-body provided with external thrust-faces, said body being provided with set-screws adapted to engage the inner ends of said blocks to lock them from inward movement axially of said body, of a plurality of dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrust-faces that bear against said internal thrust-faces during operation,said dies being movable axially of said bodyduring operation independently of said internalthrust-t'aces, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a body provided with internal thrust-faces, ot' a plurality of independent dies connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and mdvable laterally thereof and provided at their ends opposite their cutting-faces with external thrustfaces that bear against said internal thrustfaces during operation, said dies being movable axially of said body during operation independently of saidinternal thrust-faces, and means to limit the inward movement of said scribed.

14. The combination with a body provided with internal thrust-faces of a die-holder connected with said body to rotate in unison therewith and movable axially thereof, and aplurality of independent dies movable along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite their cuttingfaces with external thrust-faces, said dies being movable with said die-holder axially of said bodyduring operation independently of said internal thrust-faces, said die-holder being provided with an abutment to limit the inward movement of said dies laterally of said body, substantially as described.

wit h internal thrust-faces, of a die-holder connected with said body to rotate in unison a plurality of independent dies movable along said die-holder laterally of said body and provided at their ends opposite their cuttingfaces with external thrust-faces, said dies befaccs that bear against said internal thrust-- nally-tapered adjusting-blocks having inter-.

15. The combination with a body provided therewith and movable axially thereof, and I dies laterally of said body, substantially as dea ing movable with said die-holder axially of said. chamber, and means to retain laid dies said body during operation independently of in said narrower side portions of said chami said internal thrust-faces said die-holder havoer, substantially as described.

ing a die-chamber provided at its mid-portion F. A. RRINGTON. 5 with an enlarged entrance, said dies being Witnesses:

adapted to be inserted at said entrance and R. WILKENS,

guided along the narrowerside portions of D. J. WILSON. 

